San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-04-18

greatest Joy ne tolu hlmself, That man
could dare to hope for. And humbly con-
WINGED of the greatness Of the prize, and
his own small desert, the young fellow set
himself, in a wholesome old-fashioned
way which must have been natural to
him, to court beautiful Sibyl Kennedy, to
make himself the most respectable of her
servants, the most ardent Of her adorers,
to devise new pleasures from weeks end
to weeks end, and to deem himself well
paid if the young lady permitted his de-
votion, such permission being in itself a
sweet reward. sibyl liked him so hearth
ly, and her heart was so full of other mat
tiers, that she never suspect ed the mis-
chief she was doing in seeming to accept
Mr.. Bretton's attentions.
"Dear," am afraid Mr.. Breton is be-
coming little enslaved," Lady Anna sug-
gested one day, by way Of a gentle warn
ing. "He does not know Of your engage
ment, and perhaps it is treating him a
little unfairly"
Sibyl stared in her old girlish fashion.
"He is the best old fellow in the worldr'
she said warmly. II am sure he has got
too much sense, aunt Anna, to think of
me except as a chum. And are you going
to be jealous, dear, as well as Percival 7
Percivar-she apostrophised the uncon-
scious photograph over the fireplace-"do
you hear what this wicked darling says :
She forgets that belong to you, that
was crowned last summer the queen of
girls: do You think that anybody would
dare lift their eyes to your poor little
sweetheart Do you suppose they can't
see how high hold my insignificant head
because of your"
Being a sensible girl however, and not
above taking advice, Sibyl set careful
guard upon her manner to Mark Breton
from that day forth. If he had not been
by this time so many fathoms deep in
love, he could hardly have failed to no.
tice the change; but, as it was, he went
on cherishing his dream of future bliss
and basking in the sunshine of his present
happiness.
He had resolved not to speak to her be-
fore he went away. He would come back
strengthened with his fathers approval.
But one day-it was one of the black days
and Lady Anna had been very i'll almost
fainting, after the receipt of Clements let
ter-Mark came suddenly into the parlor
and found Sibyl there in tears. Then it
was all up with him.
"W hat is the matter2 Is there nothing
can dor he said, with a great eager
ness in his face and voice. Miss Kenne-
dy, can't you trust met Don't you know
that belong to you all here, body and
soul, and that l will do what you tell me,
no matter what it isl"
"You are very good" the girl answered,
lifting her weeping head, and holding out
little trembling hand; but no one can
help us, thank you. 1t is something that
has to be borne, suppose"
She knew as she spoke that Lady Anna
had been right; she read the truth in
the poor fellows face. And then hurried
ly he spoke a few words and told her
what was in his heart.
"Wnl you give me one word Of HOPPER
he pleaded; for he had read her face in
his turn, and knew what his sentence was
to be before she spoke it.
She began to cry again.
81 cannot" she said simply. 81 am
sorry-very sorry. 1t must be dreadful
for you, dear old Mark! Nothing can be
so dreadful am sure, as to care in that
way for some one who does not feel the
same for you. But indeed can only be
your sister. am very fond of you as a
brother, Mark; and you will try 10 think
of me as a sister; won't you, deari'
There was pause, a sharp, silent strug-
gle, and then Mark looking up-his blue
eyes were as wet as her own-held out his
hand.
~ will try" he said. sand you will
promise to count me as your brother
your friend-should the need ever arise ~
"As the kindest friend in the world"
she said, lifting the strong brown hand
and pressing kiss upon it with affection
ate simplicity.
A little while after this Mark went
away and they were alone again at Rock
wood, their only happiness PercivaPs con-
slant letters, the black shadow of Clement
Lansing's vices gathering closer and closer
about the impoverished house.
They heard, as the winter drew near, of
the death of old Squire Breton. Mark
was master now at Wyndicote.
And upon this news followed one of the
Countess's rare and secretly-dreaded
visits. The Countess had heard, she ex-
planned, a highly flattering account of her
granddaughter from young Squire Bret
ton, whom she had met not long before his
fathers death. She added after a careful
inspection Of Sibyl, that the young man
had very good taste. but that, as charm
ing as Miss sibyl undoubtedly was, there
was no time to be lost.
"Lend me the child for month or two
this winter, Anna," said the grim old lady.
"Dixon knows your ways very well, and
you can spare sibyl for once in a while.
will ask Mr.. Breton to meet her at the
Castle"
"In order that he may have the oppor-
tunity of proposing TO met" asked Sibyl
quietly. A passage at arms between her
and the Countess seemed inevitable when
ever they met.
"Pdyditement," replied the Countess
~ should hardly advise you to take the
initiative, big catch as he is"
~ think l had better stay at home and